Pneumatic telephone



Named e1. -4 Sheets-Sheet 1;

J. P. HURLEY 82; G. F. PERKINS.

PNEUMATIG TELEPHONE.

"No. 366,319. Patented July 12, 1-887.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2. J. P.-HURLEY & G. P. PERKINS.

PNEUMATIC TELEPHONE.

No. 366,319. Patented July 12, 1887 ln-Lithogmphar, wnhin m, n c

. 4'Sheets--Sheet 3. J. P. HURLEY & G. P. PERKINS.

PNEUMATI'G- TELEPHONE. v N0.'366,319. Patented u1 ,1'2,1887.

(No' Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFIGE.

7 JOHN P. HURLEY AND GEORGE F. PERKINS, OF HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS.

PNEUMATIC TELEPHONE.

- SPECIFICATION forming part ofLetters Patent No. 366,319, dated July 12, 1887.

Application filed September 8, 1886. \Serial No. 213,152. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, JOHN P. HURLEY and GEORGE F. PERKINS, citizens of the United States, residing at Holyoke, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in PneumaticTelephones, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in telephone systems; and the invention consists in the peculiar construction and arrangement of the speech transmitting and. receiving devices and elements, and of signaling devices connected therewith, all as hereinafterfully described, and set forth in the claims.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figures 1 and 2 illustrate in elevation a telephone system embodying our in vention, Fig. 1 showing, as hereinafter fully set forth, the.connection with said telephone system of means for transmitting signals other than by telephonic means. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail part of said system, hereinafter described. Fig. 41. is a perspective view,partl y in section, of speech transmitting and receiving devices adapted to said system. Fig. 4 is a sectional detail of the signal-actuating box and connections, hereinafter referred to. Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevation, partly in section, of the receiver. Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively a longitudinaland a transverse sectional view, much enlarged, of a coupling for connecting the line of said. system. Fig. 8 illustrates, partly in section, detail parts of the speech-transmitting device shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 9 is a perspective View of a portion of a building, partly in section, illustrating one manner of applying our improvements thereto. Fig. 10 isatransverse sectional view of a transmitting and receiving diaphragm and case. Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section of another form of transmitter and receiver, hereinafter fully described.

The improvements in telephone systems herein shown and described belong to the class of telephones which embody devices and elements for the transmission of articulate speech longer or shorter distances by means of a tube containing air or a similar element, having attached thereto two or more diaphragms capable of vibratory action resulting from speech in proximity thereto, said diaphragms being attached to said tube in such manner that the outer sides thereof are each exposed to the ef fect of air-waves produced by speech or other sounds, and their inner sides are exposed to and act, and are caused to act, vibratorily against and by the said contents of the said diaphragm-connecting tube, thereby causing words spokenor sounds produced opposite one of said diaphragms to be correctly reproduced in an audible tone at or by said second diaphragm.

In carrying out our invention we providea tubularline-connection, as Sand 4, constructed of any suitable material capable of retaining air, gas, oran aeriform fluid. Thus said tube line may be made from rubbeiywood, ormetal, according to the conditions of construction and use thereof but generally the metal tube is preferable, on account of greater durability and being less subject to damage by accident or otherwise; and, furthermore, the use of the metallic tube for the aforesaid telephonic system permits of its utilization also for tele graphic and signaling purposes, as hereinafter set forth. The said tube line 3 is shown in Fig. 1 as hung on ordinary telegraphic poles, 5; but such arrangement thereof, when it is used solely for said telephoning purposes or for signaling by means of the elements employed in'said telephone service, is not essen tial, but said tube line may berun in any other convenient mannerbetween points of tele phone communication regardless ofinsulation, for the reason that in no form whatever is electricity or electromagnetism employed in the operation of the within-described tclephoning system or devices in the transmission of articulate speech.

Fig. 2 illustrates aportion of a tubular line, 3, having,like that in Fig.1,several branches, 6, of like or similar tubular construction to said mainline, communicating with the latter, which connect the main line with receiving and signaling boxes 7, the latter having attached thereto the receiving-instruments 8, the latter being adapted, also, under certain conditions, as hereinafter described, to be used as transmitters.

' In Fig. 2 is shown connected to the-line 3 by a branch, 9, an air-pump, 10, of ordinary construction, for the purpose of supplying to said line an aeriform fluid, whereby said line is kept simply filled with the latter, or more or less internal air-pressure is maintained therein. If more convenient, however, a slight vacuum, more or less, may be maintained within said tube line and its connections, instead ofa pressure, as heretofore described, as the below-described transmitting devices connected with said line operate substantiallyin the same manner in connection with pressure or vacuum in the line, and said pump may be employed for producing either condition. A coupling, 12, for the purposes of uniting conveniently, temporarily,or otherwise, the ends of said tubular line, is illustrated in enlarged views in Figs. 6 and 7, and is shown between separate ends of the line3 in Fig. 2. Said coupling consists of two shells of tubular form, 1.3 and 14, preferably of metallic eonstruetion,shell14E being adapted to slide onto the end of shell 13 against suit able stops, 15, as shown in Fig. 6. The shell 13 is provided with a diaphragm, 16, having a valve-seat therein and a valve -stem support, 17, on one side thereof, and a second transverse support, 18, through which .the spindle of the valve 19 extends, as shown in said figure. Said spindle 20 is of puppetvalve form, as shown in Fig. 7, and near its end is placed astop-washer, 21.

The operation of said coupling is as follows: One end of the line being connected with the part 13 of the coupling, the pressure, if any there be, in the line will act against the end of the valve 19, driving the latter against its seat and preventing any escape of the aeriform contents of the line. hen another part of the line is connected with that to which said part 13 is attached by the part let of the coupling, the latter-named part is placed on the end of the part 13 and pushed to position against the stops 15, thereby carrying the end of the stud 22 against the end of the valvestem 20, and thereby sliding the valve endwise away from its seat, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, and openinga passage through the parts of the coupling, whereby the separate parts of the line united by the latter are put in communication with each other.

In Fig. 1 is illustrated the preferable means for maintaining within the tubular line 3 any required degree of supply of air or aeril'orm fluid by means of an ordinary gas-holder, 23, which is supported by weights and chains in the ordinary manner in a suitable watertank, as there shown. The said tubular line 3 is connected with the gas or air holder 23 by means ofa pipe, 21-, which is connected with an ordinarystand-pipe, 25, which communicates with the interior of said holder, said pipe 24, if of metal, being connected with the line 3 by an intermediate pipe or sleeve, 26, which is made of any material that is a non-conductor of electricity, when said main line is employed for electric signaling or telegraphic purposes,

as hereinafter described, in addition to its above-referredto use for the transmission of speech telephonically. IVhen, however, the tubular line 3, be it constructed of metal or other material, is employed only for telephonic use by the aboverefe'rred-to means, the tubular connection between the line 3 and said stand-pipe 25 may be of the same material as the main line. By means of the connterbat ancing-weights 27, attached by chains to the holder 23, such degree of constant air-pressure may be maintained within the holder and the line 3 connected therewith as may be desirable, and said pressure may be'in practice only slight, varying from such a degree as would be barely indicated upon an ordinary siphongage to a few inches (more or less) measured by said gage-indication. \Vhen it is found requisite or desirable to replenish the holder 23 with air, any suitable pump, as 28, may be employed. for that purpose, the latter being connected by the pipe 29 with an inlet standpipe, 30, leading into said holder. tice the said holder may be arranged in any suitable tank in the room of a building, or in the cellar thereof, in convenient proximity with any part of the line 3, and be connected therewith in any suitable manner. 7

In Fig. 1 are shown means for utilizing the tubular telephonic line 3 when the latter is made of metal, or, for instance, hollow wire, for the transmission of electric signals or for telegraphic purposes, and said means consist of an ordinary Morse instrument, 31., coir nected with the line 3 by an .eleetric conductor, 32, and having a ground-line, 33, also attached thereto. At the opposite end of said line through a branch, 6, connected with the latter, is attached a second electric eonductor, 31, to which may be attached asecond Morse instrument or other similar device for the transmission of electric signals, a battery, 35, being connected to said eonduetor. 3l, as shown, and having a groinidconneetion, 36. The said receiving and signaling box 7, whose construction is illustrated in detail in Fig. 4, consists of a suitable case, substantially as shown, made of wood or other suitable mate rial, with which a tubular branch from the main line 3 is connected. A box, 37, is attached to said case, having a flexible diaphragm or head, 38, secured thereon by its borders, which constitutes one side of said box, and to the outer side of said diaphragm is secured a projecting bar, 39, having pins 40 projecting from its side, between which the end of a bell-hammer lever, it, hangs, said hammer 4.2 being pivotally attached to said case near to the signal-bell 43, the latter being supported on a suitable stand, 4-1, on said ease, as shown. The said box 37 is provided with an air-hole, 45, through one side thereof, and a rod, 46, passing through the bell-stand 44 has a puslrbutton on its outer end, as shown, and a valve-like projection on its under side near its opposite end covers said In p racair-hole. A spring, 47, connected between the rod 46 and the bell-stand 44, serves to hold said valve closely over said air-hole and to retract the rod 46 when pushed by applying force against said button, a pin, 48, through the rod 46 serving to stop the" rearward movement of the latter when said air-hole is covered, as shown in Fig. 4. The tubular branch 6 enters said box 7, as shown, and has a two-way cook, 49, therein, the end of said branch 6 terminating at and communicating with theinterior of the box 37. from the side of said cock 49, in which are two elbows or bends, as shown, and the end thereof terminates opposite the center of a diaphragm,5l,against which itis held byaspring, 52. To secure aclose connection between the end of the said branch 50 and the diaphragm 51, the extreme end thereof is preferably of elastic tube-such as that made from rubber or similar substance-which permits of a close contact, sufficiently so to prevent the escape of air from said tube, if need be. The diaphragm 5lconsists of the ordinary thin metallic or other suitable plate, capable of vibratory movements, as aforesaid, and is secured by its borders on the inner side of the front of the box 7 behind an opening through the latter, as shown, toward whichopening the voice of a person using the telephone is directed, in order that the diaphragm may be acted upon thereby in the manner above referred to. the branch 50 through the bottom 'of the box 7, and thereto is attached by ,a suitable flexi. ble tube, 54, a receiving-instrument, 8, the latter being provided with a ring on one end to adapt it to be hung on the end of a lever, 56, the latter being pivoted byits opposite end to the inner side of the box 7. A spring, as shown, under said lever 56 throws it upward when it is relieved of the weight 'of said receiver 8. A lever, 57, is attached to the squared end of the plug 53 of said two-way cook, the end of which lever is connected with said lever 56 by the rod 59. The receivinginstrument S,an enlarged View of which, partly in section, is shown in Fig. 5, is constructed with a body having a socket in one end of it, in which is placed a box, 55, made preferably of metal, having its side toward the end of the receiver open, and across which is secured a diaphragm, 60, a perforated mouth-piece, 61, being screwed on the end of the receiver against the borders of said diaphragm, thereby scour-- ing it against the open side of said box in such position that it is capable of vibration caused by the action of the voice thereon through the intermediary of said aeriform fluid in the line 3 and the branches connecting the latter with said instrument, the action of said aeriform 'fluid on the diaphragm 60 being induced by the vibratory action of another diaphragm connected with said line, against which speech is directed. The said diaphragm 60 is of substantially the same material as that of the A branch pipe, 50, leads oif A branch tube, 53, leads off from above-referredto diaphragm 51. The said flexible tube 54 is connected with the opening 87, which leads to the interior of the box 55 in said receiver.

Although the instrument 8 is referred to as a receiving-instrument, it is so designated with the transmitting-box 7 in order to distinguish it from the latter; but it is,in faet,capable of the transmission of speech when connected with the line 3, and so operates when the diaphragm has speech directed against it in the manner that the diaphragm 51 is used. Fig. ll illustrates in section, but in a slightly-modified construction, asimpler form of said combined receiver and transmitter, in which 62 is the body of the instrument, made of wood, hard rubber, or other suitable material; 63, the diaphragm, and 64 the mouthpiece, adapted to be screwed onto the end of said body, and securing said diaphragm against the (11d of the latter and covering a chamber, 65, which is connected by a passage through the body, and by a tube, 66,with the line 3, or any of the branches thereof.

The manner of the operation of the transmitter 7 and the reeciverS, Fig. 4, when said devices are used in connection with the tubular line 3 for transmitting and receiving speech'sounds, is as follows: The position-in which the lever 56 is held in said figure by the weight of the receiver 8, which is hung thereon, is one which brings the plug 58 of the cook 49 to the position shown in Fig. 8 thatis to say, bringing the air-passage which extends quite through said plug in a line with the tube 6, which leads directly to the box 37, thereby permitting the said air-pressure in the line 3 to be communicated to the interior of said box, thereby distending the diaphragm 38 thereon, as shown by the curved line in said figure, the dotted line thereon indicating the position of the diaphragm when the pressure of the line 3 is not exerted on the said box. To operate the signal-bell of other like boxes on the line, calling the latter by their numbers, the push-rod 46 is pushed endwise, carrying its valve-shaped end off from the airhole 45, as many times as said number 3, for instance, may require, thereby letting the air escape from the box and permitting the diaphragm to retract each time that the pressure is taken off, sufficient time between each movement of the rod 46 being allowed to permit the diaphragm to be distended. The said projection 39, attached to the diaphragm, having pins therein, as above described, by which it engages with the arm 41 of the hammer 42, moves with said diaphragm, and thereby operates the hammer against the belt 43, causing the latter to be struck as many times as the push-rod 46 is operated, thereby calling the desired party on the line. As soon as the by the act-ion of the spring thereunder, and swinging the plug of the cock 49 from the position shown in Fig. 8 to one in which the long passage through said plug is brought into juxtaposition with the opening through the barrel of the cock which leads to the branch pipe 50 and the short passage 67 in said plug opposite the end of the branch 6, whereby communication between the latter and the line 3 is opened directly with the rear side of the diaphragm 51, against which the end of the branch 50 isheld, as aforesaid. The parts are now in position for the transmission ofartic ulate speech and the reception of the same, as above described, after which the instrument Sis hung on the lever 56, restoring the said operating parts to the position shown in Fig. 4.

The above-described tubular line 3, with its branches, transmitting and receiving instruments, and means for supplying said line with aeriform fluid, constitutes one manner of carrying out our invention; but we have discovered that substantially the same results are obtained and by substantially the same means,but nndersomewhat differentconditions,by attaching transmitting-instruments, orboth transmitting and receiving instruments, to the ordinary gaspipes of a building, as illustrated in Fig. 9, in which are shown sev'eral rooms in a building with which the ordinary gas-pipe, 4, is connected, leading from a meter in the basement (indicated by the number 68) up through said rooms, and connected with the ordinary chandcliers, 69, by branches of said pipe extending between the floors of said building, as indicated by dotted lines in said figure. At different points on said pipe outlets 70 are arranged in the same manner as for attaching gasbraekets thereto, and to said outlets are attached diaphraginboxes 71, constructed as illustrated in section in Fig. 10. Said boxes 71 consist of two disks of metal or other suitable material, inclosing between them a diaphragm, 72, of substantially the same material as that in said box 7, and secured, as shown, by its borders between said disks, whereby it is free to vibrate, as above described. One of said disks is provided with a mouth-piece, 73, and the second disk, or rear one, is provided with a screwed socket, 74, whereby said box is attached to the said outlet on the gas-pipe 4. Two persons in said house--one in the upper and one in the lower room thereofwishing to speak with each other by means of said diaphragm-boxes and the connecting-pipe 4, the latter containing the usual gas-supply for illuminating purposes, may speak into the mouth-piece 73 in either of said rooms, while the other listens at said mouth -piece in the other room; but for greater convenience in the use 01" said pipe and boxes as a means for telephonic communication a receiving instrument 8 is attached by a flexible tube 66 to each of said outlets 70, whereby the receiver 8 may be held to the car while speaking into the mouth-piece 73. By means of the said transmitting or receiving device connected with the gas-pipe of a building a distinct transmission of articulate speech through a longer or shorter distance is had. In Fig. 9, 75 indicates the gasmain of the street near which said house is located, and 76 the serv ice-pipe leading from said main to the meter 68. Between said servicepipe 76, leading to the meter, and a pipe, 77, leading from the meter and connected to said gas-pipe 4, is at tached one of said diaphragm-boxes 71, but provided with a screwed socket, 74, on' each disk to adapt it for such connection, the purpose of which is to provide means for telephonic communication through said pipe 4 down to the tube 77, thence across above the meter to the pipe 76, and through the latter: to the street-main 75, and thence to other houses or places which may be connected with said street-main by means of the hereinbefore-described transmittinginstruments, which are attached to places of communication in the manner illustrated in Fig. 9. The aforesaid cross-connection between the tube 77 and the pipe 76, embracing therein the diaphragmbox 71, is made for the purpose of obtaining a suitable communication be tween said house and the street-main 75 without disturbing the ordinary condition and action of the gasmeter 68. 'Iheinterposition of the diaphragm 72 in the aerilorm line of communication between said house and gasmain does not interfere with the proper responsive action of a diaphragm con nected beyond the cross connection above the meter, since the action of the diaphragm in thelatter connection and the one comm unicated with be yond it would be substantially simultaneous. Vhen the aforesaid tubular line 3 is of metal and is extended in a proper insulated manner on the posts 5, or otherwise, other means of signaling between the several stations on said line may be adopted than those above de scribed, and shown in Fig. 4, for it is obvious that said line, with its branches 6, having connected thereto, as described, the diaphragmbox 71 or the instrument 8, may be used, as set forth, for the transmission of speech and for signaling otherwise than by means of the de vices shown in Fig. 4. Resort may be had to the use, if desired, of the electric connections with line 3 shown in Fig. 1, to which maybe attached any suitable signalirig-instrument, whereby any station on the line may be called.

WVhat we claim as our invention is 1. Means for transmitting articulate speech between distant points, consisting of a tubular connecting-line containing an aeriform fluid under pressure, several stations connected with said line, each provided with a speech transmitting and receiving diaphragm, substantially as described, the latter having the inner surface thereof wholly or in part exposed to and in communication with the aforesaid aeriform contents of said connecting-line, and sig IIO nal devices connected with the latter, consisting of an air-box having a hole therein for the escape of air connected with said line, and having an elastic diaphragm attached thereto sub- 5 ject to air-pressure in said box, a movable valve-rod having a valve thereon, whereby said air-hole is opened and shut, abell, a hammer pivoted near the latter, having a lever thereon extending by the side of said elastic diaphragm, and a projecting bar attached to the latter, with which said bell-hammer lever engages, combined and operating substantially as set forth.

2. An instrumentfor communicating articulate speech to a tubular connecting-line, substantially as described, containing an aeriform fluid, consisting of a suitable box having a vibratory diaphragm attached thereto, a tubular connection with said line terminating at the rear side ofsaid diaphragm, and a spring holding the open end of said tubular connection against the diaphragm, substantially as set forth.

.3. An instrument for communicating articulate speech to and receiving the same from a tubular connecting-line, substantially as described, containing an aeriform fluid, and for signaling over said line, consisting of a suitable box, 7, having a vibratory. transmittingdiaphragm attached thereto, a bell-operating box, 37, having an elastic diaphragm thereon, a tubular connection, 6, with said line communicating with the interior of said box 37, having a branch, 50, leading therefrom, the end of which terminates at the rear side of said transmitting-diaphragm, a two way cook, 49, located in said tubular connection 6, with which cock said branch is connected, having a lever, 57, attached to the plug thereof, a vibratory lever, 56, pivoted in the said box 7, connected with said lever 57 by a suitable rod, aspringto swinglever 56upward,atubular'conuection, 53, communicating with said branch 50, and a receiving-instrument, 8, attached by a flexible tube to said connection 53, having a ring thereon whereby it is suspended on said lever 56, combined and operating substantially as set forth.

4. A pipe or tube inclosing a gaseous fluid, a switch-valve therein, a weight which closes said valve in one direction, but opens it in the direction of a signal apparatus, and a spring which closes the valve to the signal and opens it to permit communication through the tube to a receiving-diaphragm, the specified parts and their essential connections being combined and arranged substantially as de scribed.

5. The combination, with a tubular tele phonic line having an inclosed gaseous fluid and transmitting and receiving instruments connected therewith, substantially as described, of a coupling connecting parts of said tube, said coupling consisting of two shells, 13 and 14, of tubular form, one shell having a closing Valve therein and the other shell having a spindle, by which said valve is opened when the shells are pressed together in coupling, all substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the gaspipes and -meter of a gas system, of a telephonic transmitter and receiver of the character described, connected to said pipes at opposite sides of the meter, and a tube, 77, connected to the pipes on each side of the meter, said tube being closed by a flexible diaphragm to prevent the passage ofgas,while permitting vibration, substantiall y as described.

JOHN P. HURLEY. cnoaen F. PERKINS.

WVitnesses: 7 J ONES S. DAVIS, E; W. OHAPIN. 

